Quickest Pick Me Up- Benifit’s Ooh La Lift

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018Leave a comment

Ever since my children arrived on this planet I have been very sleep deprived; and I thought staying up for finals was bad. Nothing compares to those grueling waking hours, feeding, changing etc… and as soon as I would shut my eyes, the sun would start to rise. I didn’t really have the whole “under eye bag” situation until those consecutive sleepless nights added up. What did I do? I turned to my all time favorite Bobbi Brown Corrector to help, but then I had to add concealer and setting powder to complete the look. It was getting to much on the days I was running late – pretty much all the time- some days I wouldn’t apply any makeup. Then I would catch glimp’s of myself in a mirror and gasp, my under eyes where horrendous.

A couple of weeks ago I stopped of my moms to drop off the kids to get some shopping done for the kids. Then as usual I start snooping around my moms typical makeup drawer to quickly apply mascara and nothing else. Then I came across this Benifit’s Ooh La Lift Eye Brightener, I applied it under my eyes along with my one my favorite Loreal Telescope Mascara & quietly snuck out the door before my kids noticed. Later on in the day I caught glimpse of myself & I was amazed, its as if I’ve had a full 12 hours and 2 naps during the day. I looked so alive and refreshed, despite the fact that I only wore Mascara and The Ooh La Lift. This product retails for $23 and has 0.25oz of product.

When I came back I asked my mom why she didn’t use and she said she doesn’t need it and was going to return it – I get it, this product isn’t for everyone- guess who went home with it? Yes, that’s right I did. I have been using it for a couple of weeks now when I have the “No Makeup Days”.

When I mean no Makeup Days I mean it, no blush, concealer etc… just the Ooh La Lift and I am out the door. Definitely, a product you need if you have had lack of sleep and your under-eye area is looking a bit dull or screaming for help.

For some reason this products is a highly under rated, not enough women use it nor talk about. There are multiple ways to use this, alone or as a primer because it gets your under eyes in shape ready for concealer. I like to apply a lot of product and gently massage it into my skin swiping outwards, from my nose to the outer sides of my eye.

There really isn’t much to do with this product, just apply and wallah you are done.

What is your quick pick me up?

Let me know in the comments below!

Makeup Forever Pro Bronzer Fusion Review

May 4, 2018May 4, 20182 Comments

The best part of makeup is that you can always have fun with it. Today’s beauty review will be on the Makeup Forever Pro Fusion Bronze. I have only been using it for a month but I am seriously committed. For the last year or two I have been I using the Nars Laguna Bronzer and Physicans Formula Butter Bronzer. Don’t get me wrong those are pretty much on the top list of “my must repurchase if hit pan” list, but I can always make more room for more if necessary. Now that summer is coming up I feel as if I need to always apply bronzer, because I don’t tan as fast or as well as other people. I can spend all day in the sun, the most I get is sun burnt. After the sun burn fades away, all I am left with is a hint of a tan. My husband on the other hand gets gorgeously tan within an hour of stepping outside, I envy him!

The key to finding the right bronzer is that it isn’t too “orange”. I’ve made that mistake plenty of times before. Most bronzer aren’t orange right off the bat per se, it’s all in the swatch; it also shouldn’t be a shimmery bronzer. The thing is with bronzers that have shimmer in them is that you apply the bronzer all over your face, not just the high points. We don’t want to have a shimmery chin and forhead, ew I know. That is a highlighters job, its job is to highlight the face not the bronzer.

I have wanted to try out this Bronzer for the longest of time. Before I purchase any beauty products I like to do extensive research, looking into the pros & cons. To my surprise I haven’t really found that many reviews on Makeup Forever Pro Bronze Fusion. Let’s just say this is a very underrated product, its time to bring light to it – a have seen a couple of makeup artist talk about it but not enough- and that is what this blogpost will do.

It retails for $36 and has 11g of product; I got the shade 20m Sand, which is a more cool toned bronzer.

Online statement

What it is:
A gel-power bronzer that blends seamlessly for a lightweight, foolproof, luminous glow.What it does:
Pro Bronze Fusion’s unique formula allows you to sweep on a sunkissed radiance. Let skin impart a summer glow with a natural-looking, radiant finish that never looks powdery. Skin will appear healthy and glowing when you brush on this long lasting, waterproof bronzer that blends on like a second skin. For best results, apply with the 136 Pro Bronze Kabuki Brush.

Review

The packaging is sleek and has a sturdy- a couple of falls wouldn’t damage the product.
The bronzer itself is smooth, glides on effortlessly with any brush that I use
It’s versatile – like a lot of beauty products- I use this as a transition shade, contour for nose and etc…
It actually last a a long time, is sweat proof and doesn’t move around.
When I first apply the bronzer to the face, it doesn’t come off so strong & it’s not a bad thing its actually amazing because you want a natural, flawless build up. Blending and perfecting the bronze as you go along – I hate it when I pick up a product and a whole lot of powder comes out of it, its a waste of product and bound for error.
Doesn’t come off orange, gives a natural glow.

I am so pale when I apply my foundation, the foundation cancels out all the redness along side with all the warm/cool tones on the face. I have already done my eye makeup, my Cotton Candy Eye Tutorial, that I have showed done step by step on my Instagram account.

I use Sigma Beautys “Soft Angled Contour Brush” . This brush is just perfect for contouring, bronzing & everything in between.

I also added the MAC’s Hyper Real Glow on my cheek bones, nose and a little bit on my chin.

What is your favorite bronze?

Let me know the comment below!

Trying out a new style, Berets!

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018Leave a comment

I love wearing hats, headbands, scarfs etc… I never was into berets until I saw it on an actress, it just looked so beautiful on her. I ordered a cheap $12 berets on amazon. Outcome? I love how it looks on me, its easy to put on and its simple. A lot of women don’t wear berets now so that makes me feel some sort of way, like I am a trend setter. This photo isn’t the best because I took it with my Iphone 7, spur of the moment type of thing. You can purchase this on amazon and it comes in a couple of different styles.

I know its spring already and guess what New York still feels like winter/fall and I am taking advantage of unruly season.

What fashion style do you like to rock?

MAC’s Hyper Real Glow is the only highlighter I will ever need.

April 18, 2018April 18, 20185 Comments

MAc Hyper REal glow closed

MAc Hyper Real glow

Tis the season for highlighter frenzy, in the beauty community companies now are in competition to release the greatest highlighter ever. Every women needs a good glow on go. I had my eye set on the Amrzey highlighter from Anastasia Bevery Hills, but I just had a feeling not go with that one. I have this method when it comes to spending’s on makeup, if I don’t absolutely love it I purchase it, if I am still thinking about it a couple of days later then I must get it. I am quite indecisive when it comes to purchasing beauty products, it’s sucks when you buy something and its not what you expect it to be. So if I don’t get that I innate feeling I don’t get it. Makes sense right?

A couple of days ago I went into the Pro Mac Store in NYC to buy refills, I came in a hurry and wasn’t looking to purchase anything new. Until I came across this beauty, this awesomeness of a highlighter. One swatch was all it took for me to fall in love, I should’ve swatch the other palette to see if I might like the “Get it Glowing” better. I purchased the Flash + Awe Palette, it has 3 rose gold shades. My favorite shade from this palette Flash +Awe and Rosy Glow.

It retails for $39.50 and it is worth every penny. This will be part of their permanent collection soon!

There are two palettes to choose from the 1) Flash + Awe which is rosey and cool toned. 2) Get It Glowing is more golden goddess warm toned vibes.

One little problem with this palette, the names of the shades was on the plastic protector, not paying to much attention to it, I threw it out.

The texture of these highlighters reminds me of the Becca Champange pop highlighter. Its soft to the touch and glides on effortlessly; gives off a wet glow to the face ( hint hint– spray a little bit of fix plus on your brush before applying the highlight, giving a vibrant glow) The only difference between these two is that you get more product & shades.

swatches 2

The Reason why I say that this is the only palette I will ever need is because these shades are versatile, it will compliment all skin tones because there are 3 shades to choose from each palette. As a makeup artist, this will be in my kit all the time from now on.

me 2

What is your favorite highlighter?

Everything you need to know about a Beauty Blender.

April 12, 2018April 30, 2018Leave a comment

Beauty blender top face kama bama

The most common question I get from my lovely clients is “Whats the best foundation brush?” My answer is always the same, get a Beauty Blender!

A Beauty blender is my best friend, and trust me it will be yours… Some of you who are well versed in the dictionary of beauty might be asking thinking to yourself, ” Well the beauty blender isn’t a new product, why are you talking about it now?”

Because to my surprise, I’ve met countless women who are very confused when I mention the beauty blender to them, they are quite fascinated with it. A lot of women just apply foundation with there hands, which in retrospect isn’t a big deal, but if you want a more flawless finish then you need a beauty blender. A beauty blender is versatile, it can be used for foundation, concealer, contour, bronzing, and setting powder. My mother likes to apply her foundation with those flimsy compact sponges, I explained to her that those don’t distribute foundation like the beauty blender does. Worst part is that it just eats up the foundation; even though the beauty blender does soak up foundation, but it does redistribute it when applied the right way.

Okay once you have your beauty blender what do you do with this nifty little contraption? You get it wet, I know weird but it words. You place it underneath running water then begin pumping the sponge until it grows double in size. I usually wet my beauty blender by running it underneath the water. Do not use it dry, I have made this mistake before, the results where horrendous. In this photo I have a very dirty beauty blender that was well used.

Beauty Blender Getting Cleaned

Keeping It Clean

Cleaning your beauty blender is important, one of the best things you can do for your skin. Foundations, concealers, etc… get’s soaked into the sponge, after a couple of uses it becomes unhygienic to use. It’ especially important to clean it at least once a week if you suffer from acne or blemishes.

My little secret is to use Dr. Bronners Castile Soap! I kid you not, I always used the beauty blender soap and it did the job. But I can’t always get around to that soap on time to wash my brushes so I used my hand soap. I couldn’t believe my eyes! It worked better then the beauty blender soap.

Beauty Blender Microwave

Another quick tip for you is to put your already washed beauty blender into your microwave and to microwave it for 30 seconds. That will kill the bacteria from within the sponge that might be hard to get out.

Beauty Blender 2

Story Time:

I will never forget how my aunt was telling her beauty blender doesn’t do the job she wants it to do. I was in disbelieve, I went to go run it underneath the water and it didn’t expand, a hard rubber sponge. No wonder she was complaining about the “Beauty Blender” . Beware there are a large amount of sellers who sell imitation beauty blenders. Just remember if it doesn’t expand then its crap, throw it out the window, in the garbage, in a fire, just throw it out! I know the price is a little steep at $20 for a small sponge, there are other companies who sell great dupes, such as Real Techniques, Sephora, Sonia Kashuk, Morphe, Loreal and etc..

Im almost done I promise, here is a easy to follow guide on how to use it.

Beauty blender steps

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post, let me know whats your favorite makeup brush or sponge to use?